The 1970s: explanations and origins -- Election and depression, 1979-81 -- Thatcher triumphant -- Thatcherism and the Conservative Party -- The attack on the government ethic -- The attack on the professional ethic -- Thatcher abroad I: Europe -- Thatcher abroad II: defence and the Americas -- Thatcher abroad III: influence and prejudice -- The fall -- The Thatcher legacy I: the major years 1990-97 -- The Thatcher legacy II: the new Labour experiment -- Interpretations.